Electro-Mechanical Components > Xtra-Guard Wire
Alpha Wire’s Xtra-Guard® Flex Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Cables offer a combination of continuous flex performance and exceptional physical toughness. Designed for demanding flexing applications, these cables are rated for 1 million flex cycles and feature a rugged TPE jacket, which provides superior resistance to oil, sunlight, and flames compared to PVC alternatives. With PLTC or TC ratings, these cables can be installed directly from cable trays to devices, reducing installation time and cost.
Xtra-Guard Flex cables are the ideal choice for applications that demand both flexibility and durability. With excellent resistance to oil, solvents, chemicals, and fuels, these cables are perfect for use in industries like robotics, C-track systems, conveyor systems, medical devices, and more.
Xtra-Guard Flex
Xtra-Guard Flex Cable, available from Allied Wire and Cable’s extensive Alpha Wire catalog, is designed for a wide range of flexing applications. Our catalog features Standard Flex, Continuous Flex Control, and Torsional Flex cables, offering reliable performance in diverse settings. Whether you need cables for Cartesian robots, automation networks, or conveyor systems, Alpha’s Xtra-Guard Flex Cable has you covered.
Xtra-Guard Flex is available in various configurations to meet specific flexing needs. The four common types of cable flexing movements are rolling flex (C-track or Cartesian motion), bending flex (hinged panels), torsional flex (twisting), and variable/random motion flex. Cable materials and construction methods can be selected based on the required flexing movement.
Applications:
- Manufacturing/robotics
- Pick-and-place/articulated systems
- Cartesian/gantry systems
- SCARA robots
- Delta/parallel robots
- Machine tools
- Motion control
- High-speed vision systems
- Encoder/resolver applications
- Case formers and packers
- Conveyor systems
- Vacuum packaging systems
Key Features:
- Ideal for high-flex, torsion, and continuous-flex applications like motion control and robotics
- Rated for up to 14 million flex cycles (85000 series) and 6 million flex cycles (86000 series)
- TPE jacket offers maximum durability and resistance to oil, sunlight, and flames
- Available in unshielded or braid-shielded versions
- Meets NFPA Standard 79 for industrial machinery
- Rounded geometry ensures liquid-tight installation per IP67 or NEMA 6
- Supra-Shield options for EMI interference resistance
Specifications:
- Stranded bare copper conductor
- PVC/nylon insulation with a TPE jacket
- 600V voltage rating
- Operating temperature: -30°C to +90°C (static) and -5°C to +90°C (dynamic)
- Available in 100ft and 1000ft lengths
- 8x bend radius for flexibility
- PLTC or TC rating (depending on size)
| 1) Component 1 | 1 X 18 COND | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| a) Conductor | 16 (168(7×24)/38) AWG Bare Copper | 0.067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| b) Insulation | 0.022″ Wall, Nom. PVC | 0.111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Print | ALPHANUMERIC NUMBERS – 1-ONE ALTERNATING AND INVERTED |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Color(s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| c) Cabling | 18 COND Cabled | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Twists: | 2.2 Twists/foot (min) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Orientation: | Components to be arranged from INSIDE LAYER to OUTSIDE LAYER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (3) Core Wrap | REMAY Tape, 25% Overlap, Min. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| d) Jacket | 0.025″ Wall, Nom.,PVC, Oil Resistant | 0.634+/- 0.030 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Color(s) | BLACK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Jacket Separator | Tissue Tape, 20% Overlap, Min. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2) Shield | Tinned Copper BRAID Shield,85% Coverage, Nom. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3) Jacket | 0.060″ Wall, Nom.,PVC, Oil Resistant | 0.795+/- 0.044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| a) Color(s) | BLACK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| b) Jacket Separator | Tissue Tape, 20% Overlap, Min. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| c) Print | ALPHA WIRE-* P/N 85618CY 18C 16 AWG XTRAGUARD(R) CONTINUOUS FLEX CONTROL CABLE RU AWM 2587 CONSTANT FLEXING OR CRU AWM I/II A/B FT1 90C 600V CE ROHS (SEQ FOOTAGE) * = Factory Code |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits:
- High durability with reduced installation costs
- Ensures reliable performance in continuous flex environments
- Designed for high-performance applications that demand toughness and flexibility
Xtra-Guard 1
Xtra-Guard 1 multi-conductor cables are high-performance PVC cables designed for general-purpose applications. The Xtra-Guard 1 22 AWG 20-conductor version provides reliable performance and durability in a wide range of everyday uses.
Xtra-Guard Industrial Ethernet
Xtra-Guard Cat 5e Industrial Ethernet cables feature 24 AWG 4-pair conductors with a high-performance TPE jacket. These cables offer excellent abrasion resistance and are designed to withstand a wide range of temperatures, making them ideal for industrial Ethernet applications.
Alpha Wire Expands Xtra-Guard Flex Cables with Smaller Gauge Sizes
Alpha Wire has expanded its Xtra-Guard product line by introducing new gauge sizes to its 6500, 8500, and 8600 flex cable series. The updates include:
- 6500 series: Standard 600V light-to-moderate flex cable, originally available in 2-20 AWG, now includes 22-26 AWG.
- 8500 series: High 600V continuous flex cable, originally in 2-20 AWG, now includes 22-26 AWG.
- 8600 series: Alpha’s 300V moderate flex data cable, originally in 22-28 AWG, now adds 16-20 AWG, with options for both conductors and pairs.
Additionally, AWG sizes 16-22 are PLTC-rated and now carry UL 60°C Oil, UL SUN RES, and UL AWM 2189 certifications.
